Will decide on certifying film on UP CM Yogi Adityanath within 2 working days: CBFC to Bombay HC

On Tuesday (July 15), a bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Neela K Gokhale, while issuing notice to CBFC, had orally remarked that the Board was required to issue certification within a time period laid down in law.

Senior Advocate Ravi Kadam for petitioners had claimed that CBFC had indulged in “unreasonable, unexplained and arbitrary” delay in processing the application for the film and its teaser, trailer, and promotional song. The petitioners said the movie, inspired by the book, The Monk Who Became Chief Minister, authored by Shantanu Gupta, was scheduled to be released in theatres on August 1.

Kadam added that CBFC had not yet scheduled a screening of the movie, teaser, and the promotional song. He further said that the book, which formed the inspiration for the movie, has been officially endorsed by the UP Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

The makers told the court that they first applied for certification of the main film on June 5, 2025, and as per the Rules, CBFC was required to examine their application within seven days and refer it for screening within 15 days. However, no action was taken for nearly a month.

The makers further said that they had again applied under the ‘priority scheme’ and a screening was scheduled on July 7, but the same was cancelled without any further correspondence, prompting them to approach the high court.

Senior Advocate AS Khandeparkar for CBFC on Thursday stated that it will decide petitioner’s application within two working days, which the court accepted.

The high court, in view of the CBFC statement, noted that “nothing survived for consideration in the petition,” however, CBFC will have to take a decision and communicate it the same day. Stating that it did not comment on the merits of the matter, the HC disposed of the plea.